Paris (AFP)

African footballers "are not always appreciated," said former Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o in an exclusive interview with AFP while the Ballon d'Or, whose votes will be closed Friday, has not been awarded to an African player since 1995.

Since George Weah, the only African winner of the prestigious individual trophy almost 25 years ago, no other winner has been from this continent, despite a talented newcomer embodied by Eto'o, Didier Drogba or Yaya Touré.

"The Western media dominate our African media, so obviously there is an influence." We appreciate more the goal of (Lionel) Messi, "said the Cameroonian during this meeting last week in Paris, convinced that" the players Africans are not respected "," not always appreciated at their true value ".

Despite three European championships in the Champions League (2006, 2009, 2010) and several decisive goals in the final, Eto'o has never won the honorary title of the best player in the world. A huge regret?

"No, because I won a lot of trophies, I created a lot of dreams and for me it's equivalent to the Golden Ball, but I have a lot of regrets for my younger brothers who came after my generation" said the former striker, who just hang up crampons at 38 years.

- "If Africans voted for Africans ..." -

Eto'o is referring to the Senegalese Sadio Mané and the Egyptian Mohamed Salah, who were absent from the podium of the Fifa The Best prize in September, despite their flamboyant season with the European Champion Liverpool.

Asked to comment on his favorite among the finalists Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk, at the ceremony in Milan, Eto'o had quoted ... the two African players before slipping away. A sequence that has looped on social networks.

"It was an opportunity for Africa to see them on the podium and why not win They had a good season and it would not shock anyone they win", justified the former star of FC Barcelona (2004-2009).

Despite the vote of the coaches and captains of the 54 African national teams, Mané, finalist of the CAN-2019, and Salah, did not fill the voices of the continent. What trigger several polemics in Egypt and elsewhere.

"Why this hatred between us, Africans, why this misplaced jealousy, if we do not like ourselves, others will not do it for us, it's just a shame!" If all Africans voted for Africans, would have had several better players so far, "laments Samuel Eto'o.

With the two stars of the "Reds" but also Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal), and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), however, African football has five representatives out of 30 nominated for the Ballon d'Or 2019 , which will be awarded on December 2 in Paris.

- Premier League scorers -

But how do you lure the world jury of 180 journalists in their favor?

"We need Africa to be very strong," said Eto'o, "today we are lucky to have players who are good, who score more than ten goals in the Champions League! three top scorers of the English championship (Mané, Salah, Aubameyang), it is not credible that these young people do not have our support ".

"My goal is to accompany these young people as much as I can, to defend them, to protect them, because a day will come when they will also have to pass the torch, which we Africans do not have. always understood, at all levels, and that's why we're always behind, "he adds.

If the Argentinian Messi, former teammate of Eto'o Barça and one of the favorites of this edition 2019, came to win, it would still be fun for Cameroonians?

"He's the best player of all time!" When I give my opinion on + Leo +, even he tells me I'm not objective (laughs) ... All that Messi does ... he's just the God of round ball, he enthuses, I'll be happy he wins again ".

© 2019 AFP